Chatham Players kick off 91st season with 'The 39 Steps'

The cast of âThe 39 Stepsâ includes, (top to bottom, from left) Chip Prestera, Glen Post, David Cantor and Erica Knight. Performances are at the Chatham Playhouse, Oct. 5-20. For more information, call the box office at 973-635-7363 or visit chathamplayers.org. (Photo taken by Howard Fischer)

The 39 Steps, a fast-paced suspenseful-romantic-comedic romp, based on the 1935 movie by Alfred Hitchcock, kicks off the Chatham Players’ 91st season Oct. 5-20 at the Chatham Playhouse.

The play adapted by Patrick Barlow from the novel by John Buchan features more than 150 characters brought to life by a cast of just four actors in this 2008 Tony Award winning play. It is part juicy spy novel, part Monty Python, and it preserves the brilliance originally created by the master of suspense.

David Cantor of Berkley Heights plays the suave hero Richard Hannay in âThe 39 Stepsâ at the Chatham Playhouse, Oct. 5-20. For more information, call the box office at 973-635-7363 or visit chathamplayers.org. (Photo by Howard Fischer)

David Cantor of Berkley Heights plays the suave hero, Richard Hannay, who learns from a beautiful spy about a plot of international espionage. The woman is killed in Hannay’s flat and he suddenly finds himself caught up in a race from London to Scotland in hopes of stopping military secrets from being smuggled out of the country. As he searches for the secret of “The 39 Steps” he is doggedly pursued by the police who believe he is a murderer. Three of the female roles will be played by Erica Knight of Clinton Township, while the remaining multitude of characters (spies, policemen, inn keepers, traveling salesmen, etc.) are played by just two actors credited as Clown No. 1 (Glen Post of Boonton) and Clown No. 2 (Chip Prestera of Stirling).

Just one of the many hilarious looks that Erica Knight of Clinton Township and Chip Prestera of Stirling will share in âThe 39 Steps,â on Oct. 5-20 at 8 p.m. and Oct. 14 at 3 p.m. All performances are at the Chatham Playhouse, 23 North Passaic Avenue, in Chatham. Tickets are $20 for adults and $18 for youth/senior. For more information, call the box office at 973-635-7363 or visit chathamplayers.org. (Photo by Howard Fischer)

Leading the artistic team is director Bell Wesel, who is directing her first show at the playhouse, having directed previously at Maplewood’s What Exit? Theatre Co. Scenic designer is Roy Pancirov, scenic painting by Andrea Sickler, costume designer is Tom Marshall assisted by Bev Wand, lighting designer is Richard Hennessy and sound designer is Joe DeVico.

To access the theater’s online ticketing service, visit chathamplayers.org/tickets.htm and click on the “TicketLeap” logo. The box office will begin accepting phone reservations on Sept. 25 at 973-635-7363. For additional information, visit chathamplayers.org.